President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services responded to heavy questioning from both sides of the aisle in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee before he eventually heads to the full Senate. Alex Azar, who had previously served as Deputy Secretary of HHS during the George W. Bush Administration, was challenged by both Republicans and Democrats about whether his private sector experience at the major drug company Eli Lilly would be detrimental to his ability to lower drug prices. Azar was also grilled by Republicans about failing parts of Obamacare, while the Democrats accused him of wanting to dismantle the law.

On the right side of the aisle, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was particularly adamant about ensuring promises from Azar that he wouldn’t kowtow to “Big Pharma” when they ask for government favors or exceptions that increase drug prices. In response, Azar maintained his position on restricting drug importation was strictly in reference to “unsafe importation of drugs,” but Paul fired back that big companies often claim that of their competitors to keep them out of the market.

He asked that Azar ponder whether or not it is fair and economically sound policy to ban importations of drugs from other nations and submit in writing his conclusion. Paul told Azar of the benefits of importing drug alternatives, mainly the increase in competition and subsequently better pricing and choices for consumers.

He also defended Trump’s decision to cut off subsidies to insurance companies, saying “Congress had not appropriated the money.” He explained that cutting the open enrollment period from 90 to 45 days makes the program “more effective and efficient.” As for the outreach spending, he said: “At some point, the insurers have to do their job and fund their own doggone advertising.”